Vacuum feeding system



E. A. HOCKWELL.

vAcuuM rsenms SYSTEM.

APPLICATIUN FILED APR. 10, 1919. l

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

E. A. ROCKWELL.

VACUUM FEEDING SYSTEM. APPLICATION man APR. lo, 1919.

Patented NOV. 23, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 E. A. ROCKWELL.

VACUUM FEEDING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. lo, 1919.

Patented Nav. 23, 1920.

` UNITED ASTATES PATENT oF-Flcr...

EDWARD A. nocKwELL, or NEW YoEmN. Y., AssIGNon 'ro E. A. EoeKWELL COMPANY, INC., or NEW Yoan, N. Y., A CORPORATION or NEW Yoan.

VACUUM FEEDING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. RoeiiwELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in "Vacuum Feeding Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to an apparatus designed for feeding liquids of various kinds, but has special reference to apparatus designed for -feeding liquid fuel to automobile engines.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by means of which liquids of various kinds may be fed, but which is es-V pecially adapted for feeding fuels to internal combustion engines.

Another object of my invention is to provide a feeding system of this character which is so constructed that a large volume of fuel may be fed. Again the object of my invention is to provide an apparatus in which there is a vacuum tank adapted to be supplied with fuel by means of the vacuum of the internal combustion engine with .which it is connected, said vacuum tank beving arranged to discharge rapidly into an auxiliary supply -tank through an opening lnormally closed by a valve which, being pref- Figure 1 is a-vertical section of an apparatus made in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section of the vacuum chamber of an auxiliary supply tank.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectionshowing the hcover for the vent pipe, and

- Figs. 4. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views showing the different positions of the partsthe operation of the apparatus, in one of lts various embodiments.

In the drawings, I have shown a vacuum chamber 1, which is connected by means of a pipe 2.to a main supply tank for fuel, such as gasolene, and which is, in one embodiment, connected also by a pipe 3, having a small port 3a, tothe intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, such for example .as an automobile engine. The lower free edge of the chamber 1 preferably has a shouldered liange 4 which may fit over the substantially horizontal top of an auxiliary supply tan thereto by means of screws 6. Said auxiliary supply tank 5 preferably has a bottom closure 7 which is, in one embodiment, connected by a pipe 8 to the carbureter of the internal combustion engine above referred to. A vent pipe 9,. in one embodiment, extends upwardly from the top of the tank 5 throughthe chamber 1, and out through the top ofthe latter through a socket 10. The exterior of the socket 10 is screwthreaded to receive a hexagonal cover 11 which, in this embodiment, maintains a packing 12 around the upper end of the vent pipe'9, and which, as shown, has a circular cap 13 secured to the top of the cover 11, so as.to allow spaces. 14 at intervals around the cap 13 through which air may pass. In the interior of the tank of the chamber 1 there is preferably a bracket 15 secured to the vent pipe 9 for guiding a pin 16, or the like, which may project upwardly from'a float 17 made of any desired material, but preferably balsa wood. The float 17 is preferably. comprised of a lower portion 18 of small diameter, which will vallow the'level of the liquid in the chamber 1 to rise a considerable distance before causing the parts attached to the float to be moved, and an enlarged portion 19, which when reached by the level of the liquid will give a sudden strong lifting effort, so as to move lsaid parts positively and quickly. The float 17 is shown as connected at its lower end by a rod 20 to a lever 21 pivoted in av bracket 22 carried bythe top of the tank 5. Said lever 21 preferably has at its other end a substantially vertical link 23 which connects it to an-arm 24 attach d, through the valvev opening, as shown, to `one side of an imperforate valve 25, which fits against the underside of a valveseat 26,carr1ed in the 5, and is shown as secured single connecting opening in the top of the tank 5. The link 23, to whichalone the valve is secured, preferably has at one side a projection 23a, which contacts with the lever 21 so as to prevent lateral displacement of the valve 25 when it is being seated. The chainber l and the tank 5 are shown as supported by means of a` bracket 2oa surrounding the lower portion of the tank 5, which .bracket preferably has an upwardly directed tongue 27 adapted to be secured by screws 28 to the dash board or any other part of an automobile. Welded or otherwise secured to the top of the tongue 27 there is shown a metal strap 29 having at one end thereof a hook 30 for engagement with a yoke 31 connected by a square ring 32 to a loop 33 on the other end of the strap 29.

In the operation of my invention, a supply of fuel, such as gasolene, having been introduced into the main supply tank which may be at a lower level than the auxiliary supply tank 5, as for example at the lower rear portion of an automobile, and the engine having been started so as to intermittently form a vacuum in the vacuum chamber 1 through the port 3, the fuel will be drawn from the main supply tank by means of the pipe 2, and discharged into the vacuum chamber-1, as shown in Fig. 4, which indicates the position of the parts when the valve 25 is closed. Inasmuch as the valvev 25 is retained closed by the vacuum which is in the vacuum chamber 1, as well asthe weight of the float 17, the liquid fuel will accumulate in the chamber 1 until the liquid level rises above the lower portion of the enlargement 19 on the float 17, as shown in Fig. 5. Then the liquid reaches this point. the float 17 will receive a sudden lift of considerable strength, owing to the size of the enlargement 19, and this will depress the side of the valve 25 to which the arm 24 is attached. This will unseat the valve 25,

as shown in Fig. 5, even though the valve 25 be of such large area that the buoyancy of a float in the chamber 1 would not be suflicientto open the valve 25 against the.. 'force of the vacuum holding the same closed if'the link -23 were connected to the center of the valve. Once that the valve 25 is unseated in this manner, the vacuum will be broken, and the lifting effort of even the lower smaller portion of the float 17 will then be suilicient to entirely open the valve 25, and permit the quick discharge of a large volume of liquid from the chamber 1 into the tank 5. The opening of the valve 25 is completed by the force of gravity moving the valve into the position shown in Fig. 6. In this way, a constant supply of fuel will be provided in the auxiliary tank 5, and the fuel will flow therefrom into the carbureter whence the mixed air and gasotion engine. The tank 5 is preferably at all times vented to the outer air through the vent pipe 9. Thenever it is desired to repair the apparatus in any manner, it can readily be removed by disengaging the yoke 31 from the hook 30, bending the ends of the strap 29 apart, and disconnecting the pipes 2, 3 and 8 from the chamber 1 and the tank 5.

lvhile I have described my invention above in detail, I wish it to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit thereof.

l. In combination, a vacuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank separated therefrom by a substantially horizontal top, a valve opening in said top providing communication through the same, and thereby adapted to permit the passage of both liquid and gaseous materials', an imperforate valve therein, andv purely mechanical, positive means, responsive to changes in the level of the liquid in said vacuum chamber andoperating through the valve opening for completelyv unseating said valve.

positive means,.responsive to a float actuating purely mechanical means operating vertically through sald valve opening 1n such manner thatgravity may 'complete the unseating of the valve.

3. In combination, a vacuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank separated therefrom by a substantially horizontal top, a valve opening in said top providing communication through the same, and thereby adapted to permit the passage of both liquid and gaseous materials, and purely mechanical, positive means, responsive to a float, in said vacuum chamber, actuating purely mechanical means operating vertically through said valve opening in such manner that gravity may complete the unseating of the valve.

.4. In combination, a vacuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank, a valve having an opening providing communication between the same, adapted to permit thel passage of liquid and gaseous materials, a float arranged to operate said valve and connected to one side of the valve, so as to open the same by a tilting movement effected by means extending through said valvel opening.

5. In combination, a va'cuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank, a valve having an opening providing lcommunication between the same, adapted to 'permit lthe passage of liquid and gaseous materials, a float located in the vacuum chamber arranged to operate said valve and connected to one side of the valve, so as to open the same by`al tilting.

movement effected by means extending through said valve opening.

6. In combination, a vacuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank, a valve providing communication between the same, adapted to permit the passage of liquid and gaseous materials, and a float arranged co-operate said valve, said float having a lower'portion of small cross-sectional area, and an upper portion of larger cross-sectional area.

7 In combination, a vacuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank, a valve providing communication between the same, adapted to permit the passage of liquid and gaseous materials, and a float located in the vacuum chamber arranged to operate said valve, said -float having al lower portion of small crosssectional area, and an upperv portion 'of larger cross-sectional area. e

8. In combination, a vacuum chamber` an auxiliary supply tank, a valve providing communication between the same, adapted to permit the passage of liquid and gaseous materials, and a iloat arranged to operate said valve and connected to one side of the valve, so as to open the same by a tilting movement, said iioat having a lower portion ofl small cross-sectional area, and an upper ,portion of larger cross-sectional area.

9. In combination, a vacuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank, a. valve providing communication between the same, adapted to permit the passage of liquid and gaseous materials, and a float located in the vacuum chamber arranged to operate said valve and connected to one side of the valve,'so as to open the same by a tilting movement, said float having a lower portion of small crosssectional area, and an upper portion of larger cross-sectional area.

10. In combination, a vacuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank, a valve having an opening providing vcommunication between the same, adapted to permit the passage of liquid-- and gaseous materials, and afloat arranged to operate said valve, said valve being so constructed as`-to open more widely by operating means extending through said valve opening than the opening thereof effected merelyby the movement of the'float,

'and being secured to said operating means only.

11. In combination, a vacuum chamber,

an auxiliary supply tank, a vvalve having an opening providing communication between the same, adapted to permit the passage of liquid and gaseous materials, and a float located in the vacuum chamber arranged to operate said valve, said valve being so constructed as to open more widely by loperating means extending through. said valve opening than the opening thereof effected merely by the movement of the float' and being secured to said operating means only.

12. In combination. a vacuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank, a valve providing communication between the same, adapted to permit the passage of liquid and gaseous materials, and a float arranged to operatel said valve, said-valve being so constructed as to open by gravity more widely than the valve being so constructed as to open by gravity more widely than the opening thereof efected merely by the movement of the float.

14. In combination, a vacuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank, a valve having an opening providing communication between the same, adapted to permit .the passage of liquid and gaseous material, an imperforate valve therein, and means mechanically connected with said float and positively operating through said valve opening for centering the valve relatively to its seat when being closed. n f

15. In combination, a vacuum chamber, an auxiliary supply tank, a valve having an opening providing communication between the same, adapted to permit the passage of liquid and gaseous materials, a oat arranged to operate said valve and connected to one side of the valve, so as to open the same by a ltilting movement, and means, operating throu h said valve opening, for

- centering the va ve over its seat when being closed. l

16. In combination, a -vacuum chamber,

an auxiliary supply. tank,va valve providing communication between the same, adapted to permit the passage of liquid and gaseous materials, and a float arranged to 'operate said valve, said valve being so constructed as to open byl gravity more widely than thev opening thereof eHected merely by the movement of the float, comprising a' valve alimng linkageE v combination, a vacuum chamber.l

Yan auxiliary supply tank, a valve providing communication betweenthesame, adapted to an auxiliary supply tank separate therefrom by a substantially horizontal top, a valve opening in said top providing communication through the same, and thereby adapted to lpermit the passage of both liquid and gaseous materials, a valve therein supported only from above and off center, and purely mechanical, positive means responsive to changes in the level of the liquid in said vacuum chamber and operating through the valve opening for completely unseating said valve.

19. In combination, a vacuum chamber,

an auxiliary supply tank, a valve having an opening' providing communication between said valve opening for centering the valve 20 relative to its seat when being closed.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto s et my4 hand this 29th day of March, 191.9.

' EDWARD A. ROCKIVELL. 

